9B Rulemaking

Oil and Gas operations can cause adverse effects on natural and cultural resources, visitor uses and experiences, park infrastructure and management, and public health and safety.

Overview

The NPS is undertaking a rulemaking effort to update its regulations at 36 CFR Part 9, Subpart B ("9B Regulations"), that govern the exercise of nonfederal oil and gas rights within the boundaries of units of the National Park System. Currently, 12 units of the National Park System have active non-federal oil and gas operations occurring within their boundaries.

The current regulations have been in effect for over 35 years and have not been substantively updated during that period. The National Park Service seeks to update the regulations to reflect current policies, legal requirements, and practices; improve the ease of applying the regulations for the NPS and industry; and to increase the effectiveness of the regulations in order to ensure that nonfederal oil and gas operations conducted in National Park System units avoid or minimize, to the greatest possible extent, adverse effects on natural and cultural resources, visitor uses and experiences, park infrastructure and management, and protect public health and safety.

Featured Content

Through a rulemaking, the NPS seeks to improve overall protection of resources and visitor values.
This pictorial overview describes why the Service's 9B Regulations need to be revised. Learn more [PDF 943KB]...

The rulemaking process includes opportunities for the public to comment on documents under review. Documents currently open for comment can be found on the PEPC (Planning, Environment and Public Comment) website. Learn more...